terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions (T&C) — AEIOU Courses

1. Scope

These Terms and Conditions (T&C) govern the use of the online platform AEIOU Courses, based in Austria (hereinafter referred to as the “platform”), as well as all language courses, services, and virtual goods booked through the platform, in particular the internal currency system known as “Units.” Any differing conditions from course participants or tutors shall only apply if expressly agreed upon in writing.

2. Registration and User Account

Using the platform and purchasing Units requires creating a user account. The following information is mandatory during registration: first name, valid email address, and password. Units can only be purchased and courses booked after full registration and login.

Login credentials must be treated as confidential; each user is responsible for securely managing their own credentials. For security reasons, the platform may require password changes or temporarily suspend access.

3. Units — Internal Currency

Units are virtual credit points serving as the internal currency within the platform. Units can be purchased (e.g., via Stripe) and will be credited to the user’s account after successful payment. The usual exchange rate is 12 Units = 1 Euro; deviations due to exchange fluctuations may occur.

Units can only be used within the platform to pay for courses and services. Bonus, gift, or promotional Units are non-refundable and expire if the user account is closed or otherwise terminated, unless expressly agreed otherwise.

4. Purchase of Units & Payments

Units are purchased through the payment service providers offered on the platform. Upon successful payment, the corresponding number of Units is credited to the user’s account. Prices shown in Euro are for informational purposes only; billing is based solely on the Unit amounts displayed on the platform.

5. Course Booking — General Rules

Courses are offered on the platform and conducted by tutors. Booking a course becomes binding once confirmed through the platform and is only possible if the user account contains sufficient Units or the necessary Units are purchased at the time of booking.

When booking a course for the first time, all sessions of that course must be scheduled to complete the booking. The sessions must occur within a reasonable, predefined time frame to ensure educational continuity. Sessions that are spread out over an unreasonably long period (e.g., beyond the intended course duration) are not permitted and may be rejected by the platform.

6. Private Courses vs. Group Courses

Private Courses: Courses with only one participant and one tutor. In private courses, participants may freely choose or reschedule their sessions, provided the tutor’s availability allows it. Short-notice rescheduling is possible if the tutor is available or if this was stipulated in the course agreement.

Group Courses: Courses with multiple participants and one tutor. The schedule is generally set by the tutor or the platform and is binding for all participants. Participants cannot individually change group course dates; changes are only possible by mutual agreement between the tutor and all participants. There is no entitlement to rescheduling.

7. Rescheduling, Availability, and Short-Notice Changes

Participants may reschedule their sessions at any time, provided the tutor is available at the requested replacement time. Tutors may adjust their availability at any time; if they do, participants can no longer reschedule into those time slots. The platform aims to maintain fairness and flexibility for both sides as long as current availability is respected.

If a tutor changes their availability (e.g., by blocking a time slot), rescheduling requests from participants for those times become automatically unavailable.

8. Cancellation, Course Termination, and Refunds

Participants may terminate their courses at any time.

• Before the course starts: If a course is canceled before the first session and the contractual cancellation period has been observed, the full amount of Units will be credited back to the user’s account.
• After the course has started: Once the first session has taken place, cancellations or early terminations result in a partial refund of Units, calculated based on the number of completed sessions in proportion to the total course sessions.
• Group Courses: If a participant withdraws from a group course before completion, they will only receive access to notes or documentation (e.g., Google Docs) for sessions already attended. They are not entitled to materials or recordings of sessions they did not attend.
• Private Courses: For private courses, the more flexible rescheduling rules apply; partial refunds after the course has started follow the general rule above.

AEIOU Courses reserves the right to postpone or cancel courses in justified cases (e.g., tutor unavailability or organizational reasons). If a course is canceled by the platform before the first session has taken place, the affected Units will be fully refunded. If the course has already started, a proportional refund in Units will be issued for the remaining course sessions, as in participant-initiated terminations.

9. Conduct on the Platform, Suspension, and Misuse

Obscene, offensive, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate behavior during courses, in chats, comment sections, or through platform tools (e.g., video conferencing tools) is prohibited. The same applies to spam, unauthorized advertising, or using the platform for purposes unrelated to language learning.

In case of violations, the platform reserves the right to cancel bookings, terminate ongoing participation, temporarily suspend or permanently delete user accounts, and exclude users from future bookings. In such cases, an appropriate portion of the user’s Unit balance may be refunded in Euro (at the platform reasonable discretion and at the standard exchange rate, subject to significant currency fluctuations).

10. Payout upon Account Closure

When a user voluntarily closes their account, unused purchased Units may be paid out in Euro (standard exchange rate: 12 Units = 1 Euro), unless payment would be unreasonable due to exceptional circumstances or prohibited by law. Bonus, voucher, or promotional Units are excluded from payout and expire upon account closure, unless explicitly agreed otherwise.

11. Time Zones & Technical Requirements

All course times displayed on the platform are shown in UTC by default; participants are responsible for setting their local time zone correctly. AEIOU Courses is not liable for missed sessions due to incorrect time zone settings.

Participation requires appropriate hardware (e.g., computer, microphone, camera) and a stable internet connection. Certain tools (e.g., Google Meet, Google Docs) may require additional software or permissions.

12. Intellectual Property

All content provided by AEIOU Courses (texts, presentations, notes, graphics, trademarks) is protected by copyright. Course content may also include materials from third parties (e.g., publishers); rights remain with the respective rights holders. Any reproduction, distribution, or other use without explicit written consent is prohibited.

13. Quality Assurance and Compensation

AEIOU Courses is committed to maintaining an appropriate quality standard for the courses offered through the platform. If promised services are not fulfilled (e.g., repeated tutor absences or serious quality deficiencies), the platform will offer suitable compensation or replacement services. This may include partial or full Unit refunds, free replacement sessions, or assignment of a substitute tutor. The specific compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

14. Liability

AEIOU Courses is liable for intent and gross negligence in accordance with applicable law. For minor negligence, AEIOU Courses is only liable for breaches of essential contractual obligations (cardinal obligations); in such cases, liability is limited to the foreseeable damage typical for such contracts. Liability for lost profits or other indirect damages is excluded to the extent permitted by law.

15. Amendments to the Terms and Conditions

AEIOU Courses reserves the right to amend these T&C at any time. Amendments will be announced to registered users on the platform in a timely manner. If a participant does not object within the specified period, the changes shall be deemed accepted. For significant amendments affecting existing bookings, AEIOU Courses will offer appropriate transitional arrangements.

16. Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy explains the purpose, scope, and legal basis of data processing, as well as the rights of the individuals concerned.

17. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

The laws of the Republic of Austria apply. Where legally permissible, the court at the company’s registered office in Austria shall have jurisdiction.

18. Final Provisions

If any provision of these T&C is or becomes invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. These Terms and Conditions enter into force upon publication on the platform.

Contact

AEIOU Courses
Email: office@aeiou.courses
Registered Office: Austria